Oxidation on interior of front wheel rim

[skibridg]

I own a Honda 2008 Air Bag Gold wing converted to a trike. I keep losing air in the front tire. The OEM tire has been replaced with Mich. Pro Activ mounted in reverse direction on the front. Tire has been remounted 3x and rim wire brushed. Still losing air. Option is to place a tube or what. Loses 5 lbs every 3 to 4 days. Suggestions to prevent or cure my problem are appreciated. Is it safe to ride with a tube?

 

[07BlueCSC]

Where is the Leak?? Bead, tire, Valve stem or wheel????

 

[Konrad]

Did you try to find the leak with some soapy water? Apply liberally with a sponge - starting with the valve stem.

 

[skibridg]

The leak is not in the tire or valve stem. It is coming from around the rim where it meets with the tire bead. Ever so slowly. I have been told to dismount tire again resand the inside of the rim again and then apply a sealer to both the tire and the rim. My bike shop never heard of a sealer and suggests a tube. Is a tube safe? Help please!

 

[skibridg]

I have used soapy water and found the leak area.

 

[Gold Rush]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>skibridg</strong>
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<div class="message">The leak is not in the tire or valve stem. It is coming from around the rim where it meets with the tire bead. Ever so slowly. I have been told to dismount tire again resand the inside of the rim again and then apply a sealer to both the tire and the rim. My bike shop never heard of a sealer and suggests a tube. Is a tube safe? Help please!</div>

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</div>Sanding may be just a tad too course. If you decide to try again I'd use a Brillo pad instead. The combination of ultra fine steel wool and soap makes for a extremely smooth (almost mirror like) finish. You might also follow that with a coat of Mothers Aluminum wheel wax to prevent further oxidation.<br />
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Don't know how the tire would act with a tube.

I suppose it would do just fine. Tubes were/are used all the time.

 

[dalelj]

I too experienced the same problem mounting a MPA in reverse. We pulled it off and cleaned the rim and put it back on and it still leaked. We pulled it off again and used scotch brite to clean up the area more and re mounted the tire. The tire still leaks.

So we put the E3 back on and it sealed right up! Called dealer where I bought the tire and they ordered a new tire. Compared the tire beads and you can see a differnece between the 2 tires.

Mounted the replacement MPA and no leak! If you can remount your old tire, do it to see ifit holds air.

Dale

 

[geraldlanc]

08 Motortrike here with the same problem. The Honda dealer said the bead in the tire was ok, whoever mounted the tire originally didn't do it correctly. They remounted the tire and now there is no leak.<br />
Gerald